The 2012 Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers (SDAC) estimated that 4.2 million Australians, or 18.5% of the population, had a disability. SDAC defines disability as any limitation, restriction or impairment which restricts everyday activities and has lasted, or is likely to last, for at least six months. In 2012 the prevalence of disability in Australia remained steady at 18.5% compared with 2009 (when the survey was last conducted). After removing the effects of different age structures, the age standardised rate was 17.4% in 2012. This compares to 17.7% in 2009 and 19.8% in 2003. (Table 1)

Disability can impact on a person's opportunities to participate in the labour force. People aged between 15 and 64 years with disability have both lower participation (53%) and higher unemployment rates (9.4%) than people without disability (83% and 4.9% respectively) (Table 9). Lower employment rates, along with the older profile of people with disability, contribute to people with disability aged 15 years and over being more likely to live in a household in the lowest two equivalised gross household income quintiles than those without disability (48% compared with 22%). (Table 8)

Having a disability can also impact on educational opportunities and participation in social or community activities. The 2012 SDAC found that:

People with disability aged 15 years and over living in households were less likely to have achieved a bachelor degree or higher (13% compared with 25%). (Table 7)

Sixty per cent of those with disability needed assistance with at least one everyday activity, of these 61% had their needs fully met. (Table 14)

Nearly four in five people with disability aged 15-64 years living in households, participated in a cultural, recreational or sporting activity away from home in the previous 12 months (79%). This was most likely to be attending a movie, concert, theatre or other performing arts event (53%), or participating in physical activities for exercise or recreation (50%). (Table 21)